Abstract: Disclosed is a process to produce a hypophosphite salt defined as [C+ hypophosphite?] by reacting P4 with a hydroxide salt defined as [C+OH?], or a hydroxide salt precursor and a catalyst, wherein C+ is the cationic moiety of [C+ hypophosphite?] salt.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of materials comprises the steps of: a) taking a first material comprising a compound of a first metal or of a first metal alloy, b) inserting said first material into an electrochemical cell as a first electrode, the electrochemical cell including a second electrode including a second metal different from a metal incorporated in the first material and an electrolyte adapted to transport the second metal to the first electrode and insert it into the first material by a current flowing in an external circuit resulting in the formation of a compound of the second metal in the first electrode material, the method being characterized by the step of treating the first electrode material after formation of the compound of the second metal to chemically remove at least some of the compound of the second metal to leave a material with a nanoporous structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides amorphous non-laminar nickel phosphorous alloys, amorphous non-laminar nickel cobalt phosphorous alloys, or amorphous non-laminar cobalt phosphorous alloys. These alloys are useful in the formation of metal articles and metal-coated articles, including high precision devices and molds for plastics. In addition, the alloys of the present invention are useful in repairing damaged metal surfaces.

Abstract: The method of manufacturing nickel hypophosphite from a solution of hexahydrated nickel sulfate and a solution of monohydrated sodium hypophosphite by an electro-membrane technique, consists: a) in introducing respectively the hexahydrated nickel sulfate solution and the monohydrated sodium hypophosphite solution into each of two dilution circuits of four-compartment electrodialysis cells formed by alternating stacks of cationic and anionic homopolar membranes in an electrodialysis apparatus having an anode and a cathode that are insoluble; b) in applying an electrical current from the anode to the cathode without regulating the pH of the solutions contained in the dilution and concentration circuits but regulating the electricity supply, either in voltage or in current; and c) in recovering a hexahydrated nickel hypophosphite solution from one of the concentration circuits.

Abstract: Process and equipment for manufacturing salts of metals, particularly nickel hypophosphite, are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for preparing nickel hypophosphite by contacting a nickel anode with a solution of hypophosphite anions and applying a current through the anode to a counter-electrode in contact with the solution to anodically dissolve the nickel of the anode into the hypophosphite solution, thereby forming a nickel hypophosphite solution. A one-compartment electrolysis cell and a three-or-more-compartment electrodialysis cell embodying the method of the invention are described.